Loose leaf binder



May 10, 1932- F. c. BINGHAM LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Dec. I5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR FREDERICK C BHNGHAM May 10 193.2' F. c. BINGHAM 1,858,132

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed DGO. 5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l i I I l i 1 l 1 Patented May 10, 1932 UNiTED STATES rer FREDERICK C. BINGHAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T BODRUM @c PEASE COM- PANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK Loosn LEAF BINDER Application filed December 3, 1930. Serial No, 499,782.

outside ofthe tube and with end caps 12 This invention relates to loose leaf post binders. An object of the invention is to provide a post binder having an improved post which combines the advantages of a flexible post with those of a rigid post.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal crosssection through the clamping bars of a loose leaf post binder embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in longitudinal crosssection through a portion of the post of Figure 1 drawn on an enlarged scale, showing the post bent;

Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal crosssection through a post such as shown in Figure 1, but on a larger scale, showing the post standing up in a rigid vertical position and mounted in the lower clamping bar;

Figure l is a much enlarged perspective view of two sleeves. partly cut away and a ring of the post, to show their relation; while Figure 5 is a much enlarged perspective view of a cha-in link and its ring, partly cut away. Y

In loose leaf post binders it is desirable that the posts should be rigid for easy manipulation of the sheets and of the binder but on the other hand, rigid posts have many well known undesirable qualities. In order to obtain the advantages of a rigid post and vet at the same time have the varying effective length of the flexible post, numerous constructions have been proposed, but as far as I am aware 'my present invention is the first instance in which a post with all the desirable qualities of rigidity has also had all the desirable qualities of flexibility.

According to my invention a flexible central unit is combined with a plurality of outer elements or sleeves and lwith spring means. including an -overlapping of parts, in such manner as to provide a'post which has a degree of rigidity under spring tension and yet can be bent at closely spaced points throughout its length.

Referring to the drawings, an example of a complete binder embodying my invention is shown in Figure 1. In this drawing the lower clamping bar consists of a metal tube 10 with a cloth cover 11 wrapped around the forming closures for the ends of the tube. My novel posts on which the sheets are threaded are mounted in the lower clamping bar. The upper clamping bar is similar to the lower clamping bar in most respects, consisting'of the hollow tube 13 covered with cloth 14 and having end caps 12 identical with those of the lower clamping bar. The posts pass through the upper clamping bar and their projecting portions are adapted to be bent down onto or inside the tube of the upper clamping bar bythe operator. A mechanisni will be described later for catching the posts in this bent position so that they may be left permanently bent. When bent the posts preventremoval of the top clamping bar. Upon being released from the iieXed position the posts spring up to a rigid vertical position and the top clamping bar can be removed. v

The constructiony of the post will now be set forth. As already explained. the post has a flexible central unit on which are threaded a plurality of sleeves forming the exterior of the post, end elements between which the sleeve elements are confined and which may also form parts of the outside of the post. and spring means associated with the flexible central unit and acting upon the sleeves. as will be set forth. Any preferred type'of central eXible element may be employed. The sleeves also are susceptible of many variations. As illustrated in the drawings. the iiexible central unit comprises links 15 hooked together to form a chain, successive links lying at right-anglesto each other. as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Each such link forms a figure 8 with a slot 16 at one side of one of the loops permitting interengagement vof kthe loops to form the chain. On eachV link 15 of the chain is fastened a ring 17 which is composed of two halves pinned on the link by a pin 18 to cover up the slot 16 and prevent disengagement of the links from their neighbors. These rings 17 have an important function in the operation of this particular embodiment of my post and I prefer to make these rings circular in their horizontal cross-section and to make them of appreciable length, say suficient to be equal to a third or a half of the length of the link. Threaded ont-he central unit composed of these links and rings are a plurality of short detached sleeves 19 whose inside diameter is about equal to the exterior diameter of the rings 17. These sleeves are adapted to slide freely on the rfngs but without much play. In the example shown in the drawings the sleeves present adjacent ends to each other which are flat surfaces and which simply engage with each other face to face. The sleeves are preferably of a length about equal to the links, i. e., the length of one link is approximately equal to the length of one sleeve. By placing the sleeves in the proper longitudinal relation with the recurrent rings on the links of the chain, it will therefore be obvious that the juncture or joint between the adjacent ends of each pair of sleeves can be made to come opposite the midpoint of a ring. When the parts are in this relation each ring of the fiexiblev element holds two adjacent sleeves against transverse displacement with relation to each other and the post is to that extent rigid. Thefcomparatively close fit of the flexible element within thevsleevesV prevents olf-4 setting of the sleeves withrelation to each other.

If the chain is moved longitudinally with relation to the series of sleeves which constitute-the-exterior of the post,.it is possible for the user of the binder to tip one sleeve with relation toits neighbor and thus bend the post, as shown in Figure 2. In order to. accomplish this and at the same time maintain the rigid features of the post at the points where it is not desired to bend the post, the elements already described are combined with spring means and with the clamping bars in the manner which will now be described. Spring means may be` provided either at the upper or at the lower end of the post, or a spring may be provided at each end if desired.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2 and 3, a tension spring 20 is attached to the uppermostv of the llinks 15, and the other end of this ltension spring is attacked-to an upper endy element 21. This upper end element 21, which can be con` sidered as an upper conning sleeve, may be shouldered on its lower end to receive the upper end of the topmost sleeve 19. End element 2l is preferably `of the same external diameter as the sleeves. Spring 2O normally exerts downward pressure on the sleeves in a direction lengthwise of the post. If desired, the upper face of the end element 2l can be recessed and threaded or can have va projectL ing screw thereon to receive an end cap 22 to provide a fini-sh to the upper end of the post (as indicated in Figure 3), and to make it easier to thread sheets thereon when sheets are beingl threaded on the post by bringng them down over the end of the post.

A lower end element 23 also preferably has the same external diameter as the sleeves 19. The lowermost link of the flexible central unit is fastened to lower end element 23 by any suitable means, such as a pin 26.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the postis secured in the lower clamping bar in a vertically yielding manner. A long tension plate 25 lies longitudinally inside the lower clamping bar and the lower end element 23 is secured to said plate in any suitable manner. A bent leaf spring 24e is associated with the lower end of the post within the clamping bar 10 in such a manner that the central part of the spring moves with the post, while free ends ofthe spring press upon the inside of the upper wall of the clamping bar l-O, and tend to push the whole post downward. lt will be obvious that the post is movable vertically, i. e. up and down, with relation to the lower clamping bar when force is exerted against the spring or springs.

Tf desired, the lower face of the lower clamping bar may have an opening 35 punched therein opposite the bottom of the lower end element 23 in order to provide still fuller play for the post.

By means of the springs, the flexible central unit and the sleeve elements are given a balanced or normal relation under tension which makes the post quasi-rigid and gives it all the desirable qualities of a rigid post, although it is liexible.

The bent spring 24e also aids in clamping upon the sheets by takingup the slack between the clamping bars when the slack is less than the height of any one sleeve 19.

Let it be assumed that the post is in rigid and uniiexed position and that ythe operator wishes to bend the post between the sleeve units 19, fifth and sixth from the top (Figures 1 and 2).

Theoperator brings thesixth sleeve 19v into the opening 27 in the upper clamping bar 18 and pushes the upper end of the post toward a horizontal position. This exerts suliicient pressure upon the spring 20 to allow the iifth sleeve 19 to jump ofl"y its ring 17. As soon as this has taken place, the upper end of the post can be bent over at right-angles tothe rest of the post. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the upper clamping bar is recessed sothat the bent portion of the post lies'or is contained within the bar.

In Figure 1 are shown means for holding the upper end of the post in its bent or horizontal position, consisting of a hinged cover for each post. Thus, for the left-hand post is provided a U-shaped metal sheet cover 28 hinged to the upper clamping bar at the midpoint of the latter. This hinged mounting consists of a horizontal pin 29 whose ends lie in slots 30 cut on opposite sides of the hollow tube 13 which constitutes the upper clamping bar. The cover is wrapped around the pin and then bent upwardly to the level of the top surface of t-he upper clamping bar where it is bent outwardly toward the end of the upper clamping bar, where its post is located. Preferably the cover has downwardly projecting side wings 31 to assistin confining the bent end of the post, though these of course are not essential. The free extreme end of the cover has a lip 32 below a notch 33 in each side wingto engage with the free edge 37 of the upper surface of the clamping bar formed by the end of the opening at the upper surface of the clamping bar. The purpose of having the pivot pin 29 of the cover lie in the slot 30 is to permit movement of the cover longitudinally of the clamping bar in order to permit engagement anddisengagement of the notch 33 with the edge 37 of the upper surface of the clamping bar. It will therefore be obvious that to confine the post after the upper end has been bent down into the clamping bar 13, it is merely necessary to swing the cover downwardly to a horizontal position and move it outwardly toward the adjacent end until the notch 33 engages with the upper surface ofthe clamping bar at 37.

It will be obvious that this novel post can be flexed in any direction and thatfiexingit at one joint does not permit offsetting of the elements at another joint, and that the spring means associated with the central unit exert pressure on the sleeves, tending to keep the post rigid and maintain the post upright. After the cover 28 has been released from engagement with the top clamping bar the spring means in the post will cause the post to turn up vertically. It also will be obvious that the posts present a smooth exterior on which the sheets can be threaded and moved without fear of being cut or harmed.

I claim: Y

1. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a flexible central unit, in combination with a plurality of elements threaded thereon and engaging each other to form the exterior of the post, and spring means associated with said central unit and tending to keep the post rigid by pressing said elements together.

2. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a flexible central unit, in combination with a plurality of detachel sleeves threaded thereon to form the exterior of the post, and spring means attached to said central unit exerting longitudinal compression on said sleeves, said central unit anc sleeves being adapted for an overlapping of parts.

which ten-ds to prevent offsetting of said sleeves.

3. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a plurality of sleeves to form the exterior of the 'post and adapted'to permit the post to bend between adjoining sleeves, in combination with a flexible central unit on which said sleeves are threaded and a tension spring attached to said central unit tending to maintain said post upright by pressing upon said sleeves. l

4. A flexible po-St for a loose leaf binder comprising a plurality of .detached sleeves forming the exterior of the post and adapted to permit the post to bend between adjoining sleeves, in combination with a flexible central unit on which said sleeves are threaded and a tension spring attached to said central unit tending to maintainsaid post normally rigid by pressing upon said sleeves.

` 5. A post for a loose leaf binder comprising a plurality of sleeves to form the exterior of the post, and a central `unit on which said sleeves aie threaded, said central unit having recurrent portions tending to hold adjacent sleeves in non-offsetting relation, in combination with-spring means at-` tached to said central unit tending to maintain said non-osetting relation between said recurrent portions and said sleeves.

6. A self-contained` post for a loose leaf binder comprising end elements, spring means and a flexible central unit joining said end elements, in combination witlia plurality of detached sleeves threaded on said central unit and confined between said end elements, forming the exterior of said post, said post being adapted to bend ir any direction againstthe tension of said spi-ing means. Y

'7. A post for a loose leaf binder comprising a flexible member and a series of detached sleeves threaded thereon, in combinal' tion with a spring cooperating with said flexible member and said sleeves and adapted toV exert tension on said sleeves and thereby hold the post normally rigid, but to allow the post to flex between any two ofthe i# sleeves against said tension.

8. A post for loose leaf binder comprising a flexible member in combination with a series of detached sleeves threaded thereon,

said flexible member comprising a series of rings linked together and niovably associated with saidsleeves to prevent'oifsetting of the latter.

9. A post for loose leaf binder comprising a flexible member in combination with a series of detach-ed sleeves threaded thereon,V

said flexible member comprising a series of rings linked together and'movably associated with said sleeves to prevent offsetting of the latter, the rings being shorter thanV the sleeves and of external diameter approx-v imately equal to theinternal diam-eter of the sleeves.y f

10. A post for loose leaf binder comprisingy a flexible member and a'series of detached f ity of sleeves to form the exterior of the post and adapted to permit the post to bend between adjoining sleeves, a flexible central unit on which said sleeves are threaded and spring means associated with said central I unit tending to maintain said post rigid by pressing upon said sleeves, said holiow clamping bar being adapted to receive an end of said post when the latter is bent, and said cover means being adapted to hold the bent end of the ost within said clam inv' bar.

12. In a looseleaf post binder having a clamping bar, a post comprising a flexible member and a plurality of sleeves threaded thereon to formtlie exterior of the post, and

f spring means attached torsaid flexible meiiiber exerting compression on said sleeves, said liexible member, sleeves and spring including an overlapping of parts which tends to prevent offsetting' of said sleeves, said post being secured in the clamping bar in a vertically yielding manner.

13. In a loose leaf post binder having a clamping bar, a plate lying movably in the x clamping bar, and a post secured to said plate, in combination with a spring associated with said post and bearing in one direction upon said plate and in the opposite direction upon a wall of said clamping bai' to provide automatic vertical adjustment of 5 said post.

14. In a loose leaf post binder having a clamping bar, a plate lying inovably in the clamping bar, and a post secured to said `plate, in combination with a spring associated with said post and bearing in one didirection upon said iection upon said plate and in the opposite direction upon a wall of said clamping bar, said post comprising a flexible member and a plurality of sleeves threaded thereon. e having a 15. In a loose leaf post binder clamping bar, a plate lying movably in the clamping bar, and a post secured to said plate, in combination with a spring associated with said post and bearingrin one plate and in the opposite direction upon al wall of said clamping bar, said post comprising a flexible member and a plurality of sleeves threaded thereon and spring means near the unsecured end of said post adapted to press said sleeves together post to bend between said sleeves when pressure isexerted against said spring, said post being secured in said lower bar and said upper vclamping bar being adapted to contain the upper portion of the post when the latter is bent.

17. In a loose leaf post binder having upper and lower clamping bars, a flexible post comprising a fiexible member and a plurality of sleeves threaded thereon. In combination with spring means cooperating with said iiexible member and said sleeves and adapted to vhold said post normally rigid by pressing said sleeves together, but permitting said post to bend between said sleeves when pressure is exerted against said spring, said post being secured in Said lower clamping bar and saidupper clamping bar being adapted to contain the upper portion of the post when the latter is bent, and a cover adapted to lock said post in said upper clamping bar.

18, A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a fiexible central unit, in combination with a plurality of elements threaded thereon and covering said central unit, and spring vmeans associated with said central unit tending to keep the post rigid by pressing upon said elements.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification. 

